Fastest, most accurate 16-bit SAR converter zips along at 3 MSPS

Norwood, MA --Nov. 17, 2003--Analog Devices, a provider of high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications and the market leader in data converters, today introduced a 16-bit successive-approximation (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that provides design engineers with 50 percent higher speed and more than three times the accuracy of competing products, all in packaging that is 40 percent smaller.

A general-purpose ADC, the AD7621 is suitable for applications in which speed and accuracy are critical performance requirements, such as high-end data acquisition, CT scanners, spectrum analyzers, ATE (automatic test equipment) and general purpose test equipment.

The AD7621 features low power consumption, with typical power dissipation of 100 mW. Operating with a single 5 V supply, it can be interfaced to either 5 V or 3. V digital logic. The successive-approximation architecture ensures that there are no pipeline delays, making it ideal for multiple multiplexed channel applications. The AD7621 offers designers no missing codes to 16 bits, 90-dB SNR (signal-to-noise ratio), and pin-for-pin compatibility with the AD7674 18-bit, 800-kSPS SAR ADC.

The AD7621 features include an internal conversion clock, an internal reference buffer, error correction circuits, and both serial and parallel interface ports. To bridge the gap for many high-performance data acquisition applications, the AD7621 can be paired with one of Analog Devices' operational amplifiers, including the AD8021, a custom-compensated amplifier that solves the gain/bandwidth performance challenge.

The AD7621 is sampling now and will be in full production in June 2004. The device is priced at $29.95 per unit in 1,000-piece quantities. For more information, please visit www.analog.com/AD7621. The AD7621 is available in 48-lead 7 mm x 7 mm LQFP (low profile quad flat pack) and LFCSP (lead frame chip scale package). The device features three different conversion rate modes to optimize performance for individual applications.